Magee on ASU: ‘We need to get back on top where we belong’

Senior linebacker Brandon Magee admitted that when Arizona State hired head coach Todd Graham, he was worried about how committed the new coach was going to be to the older players.

But Magee told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Monday it didn’t take long for Graham to win him over.

“He said he was committed to the seniors, he is going to play all the best guys, he is going to have discipline in his team, only character guys are going to play, the people that don’t show up to class or practice hard are not going to be a part of this team,” Magee said. “The key points he made to me the first time we had a conversation, I followed him right after that.”

Now preparing for his final game in a Sun Devil uniform, Magee is pleased with the direction Graham is taking the program.

“From Todd Graham all the way down to the assistant coaches, (they) are outstanding guys. They teach character, discipline, all the right things you need at college, especially at a program like Arizona State,” Magee said. “We need to get back on top where we belong.”

A key for ASU to “get back on top” will be recruiting players from California.

Magee, who went to high school in Corona, California, feels recruiting from the state shouldn’t be a problem for Graham.